Tips for your family trip to Shedd Aquarium

One of our favorite places to visit in the winter is
Shedd Aquarium. It's a great escape from the chilly Chicago
weather and there's always a new creature to meet.

Plus, January and February are packed full of free days so the only thing you
have to pay for is a locker for your coat. And don't forget that if
you're a Bank of America customer, the first full weekend of every
month is always free at Shedd.

To help your family make the most of a trip to Shedd, we've
pulled together this list of simple tips.

Baby love

There are a lot of new babies to see at Shedd and we loved
welcoming each of them in 2012. Now they are all old enough to be
around visitors and are super playful. Before you go, read each of
our stories on these cuties:

Don't ignore the signs

It's easy to get mesmorized by the jellies or get lost following
the sharks around their tank, but don't forget about the vast
learning opportunities at Shedd. Stopping to read every sign would
make the kids impatient and would really stretch out a visit, but
when you see your child really stuck on an animal that's a great
time to start reading.

A lot of the signs are interactive, especially in Wild Reef, and
reading a few of them can really make the most of your visit. Plus,
your kids will love bragging about the cool facts they learned
about their favorite animals.

Jellies

If by some really strange sequence of events, you have yet to
visit the
Jellies exhibit, you're in luck. The exhibit has been extended
through 2013 and you don't want to miss it. The exhibit costs $3,
but if you go on a free day,
it's an affordable add-on.

The jellyfish are truly amazing creatures to learn about and
watch and each tank is at a nice height for every member of the
family.

Monkey business

There's one kind of animal that always catches us off-guard when
we visit the aquarium. The monkeys. Monkeys at an aquarium. Sure,
it may not sound like it makes sense but we love seeing the little
titi monkeys climb around above the Amazon
Rising exhibit.

If you want to add a game element to your visit, tell the kids
about an animal that doesn't seem to belong and see how quickly
they can find the quick climbers.

Helpful reminders

Pack your own snacks

There are a few different dining options but the lines can get
long and the cost can add up. Instead, pack your own snacks and eat
at the tables down near the Polar Play Zone. While you eat, you can
watch dolphins and whales swim by and feel like you're
underwater.

Pick and choose

There are a lot of animals in a lot of different exhibits at
Shedd. Your visit can be overwhelming, especially if you're
wrangling a couple of kids and a stroller. Take advantage of the
free days and choose what you want to see on each visit. Try
planning ahead by making a theme for each visit, like a trip to see
all those new
babies.